Have you been struggling with your weight? Carrying extra weight can put you in serious health danger, and you aren’t alone if you’re trying to lose weight. There are millions of overweight people working hard to manage their health and their weight, getting and staying healthy isn’t easy.
And as important as a healthy weight is to achieve and maintain, some people simply can’t lose weight no matter how hard they try. Fortunately, gastric bypass surgery might be able to help.
Gastric bypass surgery is a medical procedure that can help you both lose weight and potentially help your weight woes. Here’s how the procedure works and how it might be beneficial for anyone looking to lose a lot of weight.
How Gastric Bypass Surgery Works
Gastric bypass surgery is a weight loss surgery. Its primary purpose is to shrink the stomach to limit your ability to gain weight – and it’s designed for people who struggle to control their weight with dietary and lifestyle changes.
There are two different types of gastric bypass surgery:
- Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, which is the most common type. In this surgery, part of the stomach is stapled together, leaving a smaller pouch behind.
- Extensive gastric bypass, which is more complicated, removes part of the stomach.
In either type of gastric bypass surgery, the point is shrinking the stomach to a smaller size. This means you aren’t able to eat as much and will feel full much faster. It also keeps the digestive systems from absorbing as much as it normally would.
Once gastric bypass surgery is complete, the effects are immediate. You’ll see a noticeable difference in the amount of food you’re able to eat, as your newly resized stomach will only be able to hold a few ounces at a time.
The Benefits of Gastric Bypass Surgery
Weight loss is the goal of any gastric bypass surgery. But that isn’t the only benefit this procedure offers. By shrinking your stomach, you’ll be better able to control your weight – but you may also enjoy additional benefits, particularly when it comes to your overall health.
The following are some of the biggest benefits of undergoing gastric bypass surgery.
Prevents and Stops Overeating
Gastric bypass surgery shrinks your stomach, leaving behind only a fraction of your stomach’s original size and capacity. This means you’ll no longer be able to overeat.
If you do try to overeat, you’ll experience negative effects immediately. Overeating after gastric bypass surgery can result in vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and even incontinence. You’ll feel so unpleasant and uncomfortable that the new size of your stomach will be a clear deterrent.
Significant Weight Loss
Weight loss is another top reason many people choose to undergo gastric bypass surgery. And you’re nearly guaranteed to lose weight after your surgery.
Because your newly shrunken stomach cannot hold as much food or liquid, your eating habits will change. You’ll need to eat smaller portions, and you’ll find yourself getting full much faster than you previously did. This alone will typically reduce the amount of food and calories you consume.
And WebMD reports that most people are close to or reach their goal weight within 12 to 18 months after gastric bypass surgery.
Achieve Better Overall Health
Research studies and other evidence show that often, gastric bypass surgery helps people lose weight and keep that weight off. You’ll need to continue taking healthy steps – like following a healthy diet and exercising – but gastric bypass surgery can help you achieve better health overall.
The weight you lose can make you healthier too. If you have type 2 diabetes, you may be able to achieve remission and stop using insulin. You may no longer need to worry about conditions, or taking medications for certain conditions, like high blood pressure, sleep apnea, or even cardiovascular disease.
Overall, your improved health could reduce your need to be on long-term medications for serious conditions like hypertension, inflammation, and other issues related to being overweight or obese.
Gastric Bypass Surgery Can Be Affordable
One of the biggest concerns about gastric bypass surgery is the cost. Because it’s a surgical procedure, it can come with an expensive price tag. According to The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the average cost of this surgery runs between $15,000 and $25,000.
But you shouldn’t let cost alone dissuade you from gastric bypass surgery. Getting gastric bypass surgery can be far cheaper than continuing to be overweight or obese. It’s estimated that being overweight adds up to $92,235 in costs over your lifetime – making gastric bypass surgery far more affordable.
And you may be able to pay less than the average. Some health insurance policies will cover gastric bypass surgery. If you’ve tried and failed to lose weight, your insurance may cover some or all of the costs. Check with your insurance provider and discuss your options with your doctor.
Consider if Gastric Bypass Surgery is Right for You
If you think you might be a good candidate for gastric bypass, discuss the idea and the procedure with your doctor. The surgery is known to be relatively safe, but any type of medical procedure has inherent risks. There’s no reason to rush into the decision; ensuring that the advantages outweigh the hazards is vital.
Additionally, you’ll want to make sure you do your research before deciding to undergo gastric bypass surgery. Make sure you speak with medical professionals, learn more about the procedure, and know all about your available options.
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